by J B Heller
Dex raised a questioning eyebrow at me. “I know he’s untouchable, but how do you know Sloan? What am I missing here?”
“Your father, he…” My throat felt thick with emotion. I cleared it, and shook my head a few times, clearing my mind of all the emotions swirling around inside of me. If I was going to relive this all again, twice in the same day I had to detach myself from it all. I pulled my shoulders back and squeezed my eyes closed, pushing all my emotions away before looking into Dex’s stunning amber eyes. “He killed my mother.”
Dex raised an eyebrow at me. He was looking at me like I was crazy. Did he not believe me? “My father is many things, an asshole, master manipulator, egotistical bastard, but murderer? I don’t know Sloan. Are you sure?”
I had started taking slow deep breaths to calm myself. I knew this wouldn’t be easy. “I’m positive.”
I went on to tell him how my mother had died. And the role his father played in her death. I also told him what Gabe did for a living and why I would forever be indebted to him.
He remained silent throughout my story, nodding his head occasionally. When I finished he didn’t say anything. We sat quietly for a good five minutes before his silence drove me insane, I had to know what he was thinking. “Please say something Dex.”
He was clenching his jaw repeatedly. He was angry. I shouldn’t have said anything. This whole relationship was doomed from the start. I unlaced our still joined hands and went to get off the bed. Before I reached the edge he reached forward, grabbing me by my waist he hoisted me back into his lap, nuzzling his nose into my neck. His arms were wrapped around me like a vice.
“I’m so sorry Sweets. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. I don’t know half the shit my father is into. I always knew it wasn’t all on the up and up. Sadly, I’m not surprised by his actions. He would cover his own arse before accepting any responsibility for a wrong doing.”
He breathed the words out against my skin. I felt the emotion behind them and a shiver ran down my spine. He wasn’t angry with me. I relaxed back into his hold, laying my head back on his shoulder. I felt safe in his arms. Dex was like a balm to my tortured soul.
“Can you get past this Sloan? Can you live with the fact that he’s my father? I understand if you can’t, but I can’t let you go. I will do whatever I can to prove to you that I am nothing like him.”
“I already know that. It’s not about whether I can get past it or not. My heart has already made up my mind for me.” Angling my face up towards his I glanced up into his eyes, they were glassy and bloodshot.
He bit down on the inside of his cheek, “I understand, I do, but please Sweets, please give me a chance to show you who I am. And what you are to me.”
Shuffling around in his lap so I was now facing him I looked deeply into his amber eyes. They were so sad. He misunderstood what I was saying.
He looked defeated and broken. I cradled his face in my hands, and leant forward to kiss him. But I stopped just short of his full lips. “My heart chose you, Dex. I don’t just want to be with you, I need to be with you. You sooth my soul, when I’m in your arms, the pain fades to the background and all I see is you. For the first time in my life, I can see a future where I’m not alone anymore.”
The sadness completely evaporated from his eyes, and was replaced with fire. He closed the small distance between us, crashing his lips to mine. I didn’t fight him for control like I normally would have. I could feel his need for me to submit, I needed it as much as he did. I needed him to consume me, and fill the emptiness inside me.
When he pulled back breaking our kiss, we were both breathing heavily. Our foreheads were pressed together, and my hands were now tangled in his dirty blonde hair. I slid one down around his face, resting on his jaw. I ran the pad of my thumb across his swollen bottom lip and he nipped it playfully.
A small laugh escaped my lips when I pulled my hand back. I liked playful Dex as much as I liked bossy Dex. I couldn’t stop smiling. It kinda hurt my face, since the muscles used to smile weren’t ones I used very regularly.
Dex stroked my cheek, “You have such a beautiful smile Sweets. Knowing I put it on your face, makes me feel pretty freaking good.”
My smile widened, “I’m glad. But don’t get too used to it. I’m not one of those preppy little bitches that’re all sweet smiles and sunshine.”
Dex burst out laughing. He was laughing so hard he fell off the bed, there were actual tears coming out of his tightly closed eyes. Seriously? “What’s so funny pretty boy?”
He was gasping trying to regain control of his breathing. He sat back up and wiped the tears that had spilled from his eyes. “You are. Do you really think I’m expecting you to turn into Audrey Hepburn or something? I wouldn’t change anything about you. Well, except maybe how tight lipped you are about your past. But we can talk about that later. Other than that, you’re perfect just the way you are.”
He’s so sweet. This was all so weird. I didn’t do sweet or pretty boys. But Dex was changing that. Ah shit, there is no way I’m turning into one of those preppy bitches. I could probably deal with being like those tatted up rockabilly chicks though.
It was already dark out, I didn’t know how long we’d been talking for but my tummy was starting to let me know it was past food o’clock. I hadn’t had eaten since breakfast that morning. After my skits out, there was no way I could eat anything. But now that we had talked and my nerves had settled I was ready to chow down.
“Hungry?” I asked.
Dex nodded then a cheeky grin spread across his gorgeous face. He had dimples. I was a sucker for dimples. It made me wonder if he had them on his butt too. Gabe had dimples on his butt, the mental image of Gabe’s perfect arse flashed in my mind. NO. No, no, no! Not going there. Monogamy was new for me, but I had no doubt I could do it.
I could see the devious thoughts running around inside Dex’s head. As much as I wouldn’t mind what he was currently planning I needed food. Like real food. I cleared my throat and slowly backed off the bed, never breaking eye contact with him. He was watching me like a predator playing mind games with his prey.
Clearing my throat I said, “I’ll just go order some take out. I’m starving. I haven’t eaten all day.”
As soon as I mentioned not having eaten, the expression on his face sobered. He nodded again, got to his feet and stalked towards me. When he reached me he held my face in his big hands, softly kissed my lips and whispered the word later against them, before stepping back, taking my hand in his and leading us out of my room and down the stairs.
We ordered pizza from a little joint down the road. Best pizza’s EVER. We decided to watch a movie while we ate. After all the heavy shit we’d dealt with, this evening we needed to chill out. And chill out we did. It was great. I put on Fried Green Tomatoes while Dex got some napkins out of the kitchen for the pizza.
Dex paid me out on my movie choice, but hey, even rough girls appreciate the classics. When I finished eating Dex pulled me into his side so I could rest my head on his chest. I was so comfortable with him. The whole way through the movie he lightly ran his fingers up and down my arm, drawing patterns. It was so relaxing I must have fallen asleep.
I woke up sometime later to Dex gently laying me in my bed. I panicked. I didn’t want him to go. But we hadn’t really talked about him staying. I sat bolt upright just as he was about to kiss my forehead. My head smacked into his so hard I was dizzy.
We both let out as string of curse words as we rubbed our heads. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t want you to go. I was going to ask you to stay. Please?”
“Silly girl, I wasn’t going anywhere. I was just going to turn off the TV and put the left overs in the fridge. I was coming back. There’s no way I was leaving you alone tonight Sweets.”
“Oh.” I did feel kinda silly now. I completely overreacted.
“Lay down Sweets, I’ll be back up in a few minutes.”
I did as he asked. He watched me wriggling
around until I got comfortable, then he went back down stairs. And just like he said he would, he was back in less than five minutes. Not that I was keeping track or anything. He crawled into the other side of my big bed, but he shuffled right over to me, wrapping his muscular arms around me. There it was again, that feeling of safety and contentment that I had only ever experienced in Dex’s arms.
Dex pulled my back against his front so securely, our bodies were flush against each other’s. We were touching at every point. And speaking of points, I could feel one poking me in my arse. I wriggled back against him and he groaned. “Don’t Sweets. You and I have had a very emotionally exhausting day. I think we need some sleep. But don’t you worry, there’s plenty more where that came from.”
“Promises, promises. Goodnight Dex.” I wriggled against him once more before settling into my spot.
He growled in my ear and nipped it. “You bet Sweets, and I always keep my promises.”
Dexter
I lay there holding Sloan while she slept in my arms. I felt so at ease with her, like I could be myself. Not that I was entirely sure who that was just yet, but I was figuring it out. The more time I spent with Sloan, the more I learnt about myself.
My mind was still reeling from what she had told me about my father’s involvement in her mother’s death. There was no doubt in my mind he had paid off the necessary people to keep his dirty record clean. It was crystal clear, the man had no redeeming qualities at all. I didn’t think it was possible to hate my father more after what he had done to Isabella, but I sure as hell did now.
Now that I had started thinking about Isabella, I couldn’t stop. I wondered where she was right now. Was she safe? Was she warm? Had she had the baby?
I had failed Isabella, I let her down. I couldn’t do that with Sloan. If my father found out that she knew what he had done, what would he do? I didn’t plan on finding out. All I knew was I would protect Sloan the way I should have protected Isabella.
I woke early the next morning feeling better than I had in a long time. Waking up with Sloan in my arms felt so right. This is where I was supposed to be. I couldn’t stop myself from brushing her soft hair off her forehead and kissing her softly. She put on a good show of being all hard-core and tough, but she was just as fragile as everyone else.
She stirred a little when I kissed a path down her neck, along her collar bone. She tried swatting me away grumbling something about hurting me, and needing beauty sleep. “You’re already the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
I loved the little shudder I could feel running through her body at my whispered words. She rolled over and snuggled into me. I thought she was just getting comfortable, how wrong I was. She bit me! “What the hell was that for?”
An evil little grin spread across her face. She looked like an evil pixie when she raised her eyebrow at me and shrugged her shoulders. “You woke me up. And it wasn’t with sex.”
“Oh, it’s like that is it?” I had her pinned beneath me before she finished nodding.
A startled little gasp left her delectable lips right before I swooped down to devour that sassy mouth of hers. She responded immediately, wrapping her arms and legs around my body. Our hips ground together, I wanted her so badly.
My morning wood rubbed in just the right place, I could feel her wetness seeping through her panties and my boxer briefs. “God Sweets, you’re always so ready for me.”
“Ah huh. Now take your boxers off already.”
“Yes ma’am.” I shifted my weight off her delicate little body and swiftly removed my boxers. She was kicking her panties off her ankle by the time I was back on her. I slipped inside her in one smooth stroke.
*****
After we showered and dressed we went down stairs for breakfast. We ate the left over pizza from the night before at the breakfast bar in the kitchen. Images of Sloan arching into me on this bench yesterday morning assaulted me and I was hard as a rock from the memory alone.
I tried to shift the evidence of my boner without bringing it to Sloan’s attention. I didn’t want her thinking I was a nympho or something. We’d already had sex more times in the last two days then I’d had in the last two months. I was trying to think of something to say to take my mind off my little problem. Well, not little, but it was a problem.
Before I could think of something Sloan spoke up. “So, I have a couple of appointments today, I have to go into the shop. If you’re up to it, you can come in when I’m done with my last client and I can do a bit more on your wings?”
I was still a little tender, but I was up for anything that involved Sloan having her hands on me. “Sure, what time do you want me?”
She flicked out her tongue licking the right side of her top lip while she thought about it. “Umm, come in around two, I should be done by then.”
I nodded my head and popped the last of my pizza into my mouth. I didn’t want to leave yet, but I didn’t want to crowd Sloan either. Relationships were new to her, and even though I wanted to spend every waking hour with her, I knew it would be too much, too soon. So I stood up and took our plates and coffee cups around to the dishwasher.
Sloan was watching me like I had a second head. “What?” I asked.
“Nothing, I just, guess I’m not used to having someone else doing stuff around my place.”
“Relax Sloan; I’m just putting the dishes in the dishwasher. Then I’ll head out and let you get ready for work.”
She was nodding her head but I wasn’t sure what was going on behind her guarded green eyes. I finished up in the kitchen and grabbed my keys and aviators off the counter where I had left them yesterday.
She watched me the whole time. I came back around to where she was still sitting on the bar stool and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll see you this afternoon Sweets.”
“Ok, this afternoon.”
I went out to my car and sat for moment and let everything sink in before pulling out of the drive and heading back to my apartment. It was Sunday and I didn’t have any plans, so it looked like I was just going to chill until it was time to go into the shop.
Sloan
After Dex left I was in a bit of a daze. He was so comfortable moving around my house, like he was right at home. It felt strange watching him. I shook myself out of it and went to get ready for work. I had a bit of time to kill before I had to head in, so I sent Stella a quick text.
‘Sorry about my freak out yesterday, thanks for coming to my rescue. Xo’
I should have known it wouldn’t take Stella long to text me back, she was nearly permanently attached to her phone. ‘It’s about time I was there for you the way you have always been there for me. X’
‘It’s my job baby sister. Love you.’
‘Not a baby! Love you too.’
No matter what anyone says, Stella will always be my baby sister.
I arrived at the shop right on time. My first client of the day- a skinny chic with fake boobs and long blonde hair extensions. I knew what she would want before she even spoke. A tramp stamp, just like the other hundreds I’d done for airheads just like her before.
She squirmed and whined the whole time I was working on her. I just wanted to punch her in the face, but apparently that’s considered bad manners. Instead I clenched my teeth and focused on the generic design she’d chosen.
Next up was a brawny dude with massive guns. He already had half a sleeve done by lord knows who, but they should find another profession. It was God awful, but he thought it looked great. Whatever, I was just glad it wasn’t on my body.
He got me to start a sleeve on his other arm. A greyscale tiger pacing on his bicep. While I was finishing up I asked if there was any particular reason behind choosing the tiger. His reply was less than impressive. “Na, I just think they look cool. I’m not really into what it’s supposed to mean, I just like the look of it. You know?”
I raised my lip in a sneer, “No, I don’t know. Sorry. I feel if you’re going to permanent
ly mark your body with something so rich in meaning, it should apply to you as a person.”
He didn’t say anything after that, and neither did I.
My third and final client before Dex came was a surprise to me. I wasn’t expecting it to be Gabe. I had completely forgotten I had him booked in today. He strolled up to my bench and went to plant one on me like he usually did. I pulled back too fast and nearly fell off my stool. “What the hell Gabe?”
He was confused, that much was clear on his face. Then his expression changed. He narrowed his eyes at me, they had turned into a dark swirling storm of annoyance. “You’re serious about that little prick from the other night aren’t you? Really Sloan? You think he can handle you? He can’t give you what I can. He’s a pretty boy for Christ sake.”
He was running his big hands through his messy hair. I knew he had spent at least half an hour perfecting that messy look. “What’s it to you anyway Gabe. We weren’t an actual couple. You know I don’t roll that way. So why are you throwing attitude at me? I thought we understood each other? I thought we were friends.”
He was sitting on my bench now, hands fisted in his hair. He started shaking his head slowly back and forth. I had never seen him like this, and we had been friends for a while before we started hooking up.
“I tried Sloan, I tried to do things your way. I thought if I just went with it you would come around to the idea of more, eventually. And you did. Just not with me. We are friends, always will be baby. But I’d be lying my arse off if I said you being with that ugh, I don’t even know what to call him…”
I raised an annoyed brow, “Dex, you can call him Dex. I never gave you any reason to think that it was ever about more than sex.”
“I know, I guess I was just hoping. I knew it was a long shot. But never did I think I would have to see you with someone like him.” He said with a frown.
